Georgia Officials: Patriotic Banner Breaks the Law

Eddie and Ronnie Crumpton are famous for patriotic displays at their furniture stores in Fayetteville, Ga., but the giant "God Bless America" banner on the front awning has become the source of controversy and the city has ordered the brothers to take it down.

"If it didn't say 'God bless America,' I'd take it down," said Ronnie Crumpton. "It matters totally what it says."

City officials say the banner is too large and violates local code. The Crumptons, who put up the banner after Sept. 11, 2001, say they don't want to break the law, but also don't want to offend local residents who have signed a petition to keep the banner hanging.

The issue is not God and country, argue city officials, who support the banner's message but say the law is the law.

"We do not honor God or our nation by thumbing our nose at the standards or the morality and the legitimate laws and ordinances of our land," Fayetteville Mayor Ken Steele said.